XP - how do I block a certain user to play games?

[rockuman_ex]

i don't know if this has been asked, and I have tried the search button .

Anyway, how do I block a user from playing a game in XP Pro?

i have some games (sof2, max payne and etc), and i don't want my gf's brother to play the games until he finishes his exam (in 2 weeks)

Btw, i was asked to do this by his parents.

Thanks

[Fodder]

Install them in My Documents of a different account, set the My Documents folder to be private, and make sure he doesn't have Admin priviledges.

[dcyloo]

Well Fodder's suggestions will work, but it's an odd way to do so.

Why don't you use the non-default file and security settings built into XP to DENY a particular user account from accessing the games folder(s) in question?

First make the user account no longer a part of the Administrator's group (which it would be by default) (Right click My Computer > Local Users and Groups > Groups > Right click Administrator group, Properties > Remove the appropriate account from this group) This will make the user a default User.

Then switch the PC from using default File and folder security sharing (Control Panel > Folder Options > View Tab > untick "User simple file sharing")

Now go to the folder(s) in question (Right click, Properties > Security Tab > Add the appropriate user account > Check the DENY FULL CONTROL check box for that particular account) This should check all the boxes below it. Be mindful that you are setting the deny option to just that account in question. Denying the wrong account(s) can cause troubles if you do it to a group by accident.

Hope that helps.

[jenerside]

what you could also try is use a program called magic folders. its a program which completely hides a folder, it can't be found by any methods at all. only way to have it revealed again is to run the magic folders program again and enter the password to reveal it. pretty handy to hide certain files :P

[rockuman_ex]

Thanks guys.

Forgot to mention, I've installed the games in the shared documents folder.

Is there anyway that I can just block a certain user from accessing the folder? Like in Windows 2k?

Thanks.

[Myne_h]

tip for xp pro : open my computer > tools > folder options > uncheck "use simple file sharing" - then you will have the security tab back for ntfs permissions.

[rockuman_ex]

Originally posted by Myne_h
tip for xp pro : open my computer > tools > folder options > uncheck "use simple file sharing" - then you will have the security tab back for ntfs permissions.

Thanks

[slick]

Originally posted by jenerside
what you could also try is use a program called magic folders. its a program which completely hides a folder, it can't be found by any methods at all. only way to have it revealed again is to run the magic folders program again and enter the password to reveal it. pretty handy to hide certain files :P

yeah magic fodlers or "hide folders xp" are excellent choices to hide the whole games directory if you'd like. The shortcuts to all games can be hidden so it will appear as if no game is installed...

[rockuman_ex]

Originally posted by slick


yeah magic fodlers or "hide folders xp" are excellent choices to hide the whole games directory if you'd like. The shortcuts to all games can be hidden so it will appear as if no game is installed...

Thanks. But I really don't want to install any extra software.

What dcyloo and Myne_h have suggested works fine for me.

Thanks all.